NETWORKS

NETWORKS

1. Types of Networks

   • WAN
     • Wide Area Network
     • A network centred in multiple areas
   • LAN
     • Local Area Network
     • A network area centred in a single area

2. Advantages

   • You can log onto any computer in the school using the same username and password.
   • Files are available on every computer, even if you created it on a different computer.
   • You can print, use the internet and use the same software on any computer.

3. Topologies

   • Star
     • Advantages
       • No data leaks
       • No faliure except the switch
       • Crazy fast
     • Disadvantage
       • Very expensive
       • Reliant on the switch
   • Ring
     • Disadvantages
       • Data Leaks possible
       • High chance of catastrophic failure
         • The whole Network goes down.
       • Computer turned off- doesn't work.
       • Difficult to add computers
     • Advantages
       • Very cheap
   • Bus
     • Disadvantages
       • Data collisions
       • Causes Catastrophic failure
     • Advantages
       • Super cheap
       • Quite easy to add computers or servers etc.
   • A Toplogy is how the network is laidout

4. Disadvantages

   • Extra hardware and cables needed making it expensive
   • If something goes wrong or if there is a virus it can effect every computer on the network
   • It requires technical expertise

5. IP Address

   • An IP Address is a unique value assigned to every computer on a network,used to identify it.
   • Messages on a network have an IP address attached,which is how a computer knows whether or not to keep the messages.